Meat ball forming machine

ABSTRACT

A meat ball forming machine comprising a rotatable transfer plate which supports a plurality of open-ended transfer tubes. This plate is indexed successively to move the transfer tubes from a charge-receiving station to a charge-forming station where the formed meatball is also released or discharged. Means is provided at the charge-receiving station for supplying a charge of ground meat to the socket of one tube, a pair of forming cups is provided at the forming station for moving into the tube and engaging and forming the charge, and means is provided at the discharge station for moving the cups out of the transfer tube and separating the forming cups to release the formed meat ball.

United States Patent Klein 3 [54] MEAT BALL FORMING MACHINE [72] Inventor: Harold L. Klein, 4240 Marland Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43229 [22] Filed: June 12, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 45,858

[52] US. Cl. ..l7/32, 425/256, 425/812 [51] Int. Cl. ..A22c 7/00 [58] Field of Search 17/32, 1; 31/44; 18/16.5, DIG 5, l8/D1G. 62

[56] 7 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,897,745 8/1959 Nichols et a1. Q 17/32 UX 3,099,037 7/1963 Blake et al. ..17/1 R 3,462,911 8/1969 Schmidt ..17/32 X 2,879,593 3/1959 Schwartz ..17/32 X 2,570,989 10/1951 Seelig ..18/16.5

[ 51 r 3,691,594 Sept. 19, 1972 Primary Examiner-Lucie l-l. Laudenslager Attorney-Mahoney, Miller & Stebens [5 7] ABSTRACT A meat ball forming machine comprising a rotatable transfer plate which supports a plurality of openended transfer tubes. This plate is indexed successively to move the transfer tubes from a charge-receiving station to a charge-forming station where the formed meatball is also released or discharged. Means is provided at the charge-receiving station for supplying a charge of ground meat to the socket of one tube, a pair of forming cups is provided at the forming station for moving into the tube and engaging and forming the charge, and means is provided at the discharge station for moving the cups out of the transfer tube and 7 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures qx x f Q 4! 77 i I- 47 4s 27 PA'TENTED SEP 19 I972 sum 1 0F 4 m nu HAROLD L. KLEIN BY V MAHONEY, MILLER 8 STEBENS BY am A TTORNE YS PATENTEDSE 19 I972 SHEET 2 OF 4 31 a i INVENTOR.

HAROLD 1.. KLEIN BY MAHONEY, MILLER a STEBENS BY M ATTORNEYS PATENTEDssP 19 me SHEET 3 0F 4 INVENTOR. HAROLD L. KLEIN I BY MAHONEY, MILLER a STEBENS V ATTORNEYS PATENTEBsEHQ 1912 I v 3.691, 594

SHEET" 9? 4 3Q 0 n I Q a E E z 55a: 0 o

INVENTOR. HAROLD L. KLEIN BY MAHONEY, MILLER 8 STEBENS BY W4 A T TORNE YS MEAT BALL FORMING MACHINE Various types of meat ball forming machines have been provided in the past. These machines have usually been complicated and expensive and difficult to maintain and keep sanitary, whereas the machine of the present invention is simple and inexpensive and can be readily maintained in a sanitary manner. Some of these prior art machines have included forming members which form the meat charge under compression, but they have not taken into consideration the entrapment of air during the forming operation. The machine of this invention is provided with means for avoiding the entrapment of air and resulting difficulties. In addition, the present machine is provided with means for preventing the meat charge being formed from exuding between the forming heads whereas, in prior art machines, this was a problem and not only wasted meat, but caused sanitation problems. Also, difficulty has been encountered with prior art machines in ejecting the formed meat ball from the forming cups, but the present invention overcomes this difficulty by providing means for supplying pressurized air into the cups to force the meat ball from the cups and providing means for initially wetting or lubricating the transfer tube so as to supply moisture to the charge to prevent subsequent sticking in the cups.

. The best mode contemplated in carrying out this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view partly cut away, of the meat ball forming machine.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view taken from the position indicated at line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the feeding of the meat into one of the transfer socket tubes at the start of the forming operation.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view mainly in elevation, but partly cut away, illustrating the control arrangement associated with the transfer tube supporting plate.

FIG. 7 is a schematic elevational view taken from the position indicated at line 7-7 of FIG. 1 showing the transfer plate and associated elements.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the start of the meat ball forming operation by the two hemi-spherical forming cups coming together in a transfer tube.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the forming. cups moving out of the transfer tube with the formed meat ball therebetween.

FIG. 10 is a similar view showing the release of the formed meat ball from the cups.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of the electric control circuit of the machine.

With particular reference to the drawings, the general structure and arrangement of the machine of this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. It comprises a base or table 15 of suitable form, having a top 16 on which is supported the ground-meat receiving and feeding unit 17, which feeds the meat to a transfer unit 18 comprising a large disc-like plate disposed on edge and mounted for rotation in a vertical plane at one end of the table. Cooperating with this transfer unit is a forming cup unit 19 which is carried on one end of the table top 16 and an extension 16a thereof. In general, a charge of the ground meat is fed by the unit 17 to the transfer unit 18 which transfers it to the forming unit 19 that forms the meat into a meat ball and then releases it. The details of these units and the means for operating and controlling them will now be described.

The unit 17 may be of any suitable type and is shown as including a hopper 20 which receives the meat and directs it downwardly into a feed tube 21, in which a feed screw (not shown) is usually provided. The meat is extruded through a nozzle 22 toward the transfer unit 18. The unit 17 is driven by any suitable gear drive arrangement which is indicated generally at 23 and which, in turn, is driven by a belt drive 24 from an electric motor 25 supported on the table top 16.

The transfer unit 18 is in the form of a large disc 26 which is mounted at the end of the table 15 for rotation in a vertical plane. The axis of the nozzle 22 will be normal to this disc 26 and it will be noted that the disc is carried by a shaft 27 to which it is keyed. This shaft 27 extends longitudinally of the table 15 beneath the table top 16 and has both ends projecting from the table, the one projecting end carrying the disc 26 as indicated. The disc 26 is provided with angularly spaced openings adjacent its peripheral edge in which are fixed openended transfer tubes 28, each of which has an interior socket for receiving a charge of meat. These tubes will successively align with the nozzle 22 as the disc 26 is indexed by means of a Geneva drive mechanism which is located at the other end of the shaft 27 and is indicated generally by the numeral 30. This Geneva drive is, in turn, actuated by a shaft 31 which is disposed on the table top 16 and extends longitudinally thereof. This shaft 31 is driven by a gear drive 32 which, in turn, is driven by the belt 24 that also drives the gear drive 23.

As indicated previously, means may be provided to supply liquid, such as water or oil, to the interior of the tubes 28. This means is shown in FIG. 1 as comprising a tank 33 containing the suitable liquid. This tank has an open top and is attached to the end of the table 15 in such a manner that the lower edge of the plate 26 will always dip into the liquid contained therein. Thus, as the plate 26 is rotated, the tubes 28 will be successively immersed in the liquid in the tank so that a film of the liquid will be applied to the interior socket wall of each tube.

As indicated previously, the transfer unit 18 moves the tubes successively into cooperation with the forming unit 19. This unit 19 is positioned on the upper surface of the table top 16 at the extension 16a and includes the two forming heads 35 and 36 which are mounted in axial alignment for reciprocable movement toward and from each other. These heads, as indicated in FIG. 2, are spaced apart during indexing of the plate 26 so that the plate will move therebetween. The heads will be so located radially of the plate that as the plate indexes the tubes 28, each tube will successively align with the opposed forming heads 35 and 36 which will be on a common axis with the respective tube 28, this axis being normal to the plane of the plate 26.

The details of theheads 35 and 36 and associated parts are illustrated best in FIG. 4. Each head is of cylindrical form and has a hemi-spherical concave cup 37 fonned in its inner end. Formed in the respective head and connected to each cup 37 is a passage 38 with a pressurized air connection 40. A flexible air line 39 attached to each connection 40 connects with a pressurized air source. Each cylindrical head is mounted in a support bracket 41, the head 36 being fixed axially in its bracket and the head 35 being mounted for limited axial movement in its bracket. Tension springs 42 connected to the bracket 41 and to the outer projecting end of the head 35 normally bias the head 35 inwardly, but permit limited outward movement of it. Each of the heads may be provided with a heating element 43 to further reduce undesired adhesion between the meat and cup surface 37 through slight elevation of the temperature of the head. In this embodiment, the heating elements is of an electrical type encircling the respectivehead 35, 36 and connectable with a suitable electrical power source (not shown) While the heads 35 and 36 in the illustrated embodiment are provided with hemispherical cups 37, it will be understood that the cups may be of other shapes as determined by the product shape that may be desired.

The brackets 41 are L-shaped and are separately mounted on a pair of guide rods 44, which extend longitudinally of the table and are carried by the top 16 and extension 16a thereof by means of a pair of longitudinally spaced support brackets 45 upstanding therefrom. Thus, the brackets 41 can be moved toward and from each other to correspondingly move the heads 35 and 36 axially together or apart.

For so moving the brackets 41, a drum cam arrangement is provided in cooperation therewith. A drum 46 is provided for each of the brackets 41 and the two drums are carried in axially spaced fixed positions on the longitudinally extending shaft 31. Each drum is keyed to the shaft and will rotate therewith and is provided with a cam groove 47 extending around its periphery. The drums are disposed directly above the respective brackets 41 and each bracket is provided on its upper surface with a cam follower 48 which extends upwardly unto the groove 47 of the respective drum 46. It will be apparent that rotation of the two drums 46 with the shaft 31 will produce simultaneous movement of the heads 35 and 36 to bring the forming cups 37 together or to spread them apart. It will be understood that the cam grooves 47 will be of such contour that they will produce this desired movement of the heads 35 and 36 and the cups 37 thereof. Springs 42 will provide for resilient engagement of the inner ends of the heads 35 and 36 and accomodation of a larger than normal charge of meat.

The gear drive unit 32 (FIG. 2) is selectively actuated by a magnetic clutch 50 and this will control rotation of the shaft 31, and the drums 46 which rotate therewith, as well as operation of the Geneva drive 30. Another magnetic clutch 51 will selectively control actuation of the gear drive unit 23 which will control the meat feed unit 17. The motor 25 will drive the belt drive 24 continuously when energized.

As the plate 26 is rotated relative to the nozzle 22, (FIG. 5) the extrusion of meat passing from the nozzle into the tube 28 will be severed. However, if desired, a shearing knife 55 may be provided for this purpose and will be mounted so that it will pass vertically between the plate 26 and the adjacent end of the nozzle 22. This knife is in the form of a flat blade on edge and is carried by a disc 56 which is keyed to a pinion shaft 57. The

shaft 57 projects laterally from a housing 58 in which a series of driving gears are provided including a pinion 59, keyed on the shaft 57, an intermediate gear 60, and a driving gear 63 keyed on the shaft 31. The outer end of the housing 58 is pivoted on the shaft 31 so that it will be free to swing vertically about the axis of the shaft. Its inner end carries a depending stop bracket 61 which usually rests on a support bracket 62 upstanding from the table top 16. The knife 55 will be revolved in a vertical plane by the pinion in the housing 58 when the shaft 31 is rotated. If the knife strikes a hard object or binds, the housing 58 will swing upwardly about the axis of the shaft 31, the gear 60 rocking about the gear 63 to permit this.

Part of the control mechanism of the machine includes a pressure-actuated plate 65 (FIGS. 5 and 6), which is carried by an L-shaped control arm 66. The plate 65 is in the form of a disc which is carried by a pin 67 extending inwardly from the end of the arm. in the charging position of the respective tubes 28, the disc pressure plate 65 is positioned axially within the tube. The arm 66 is pivoted at 68 to an upstanding support bracket 69 at the corner of the table top 16 for swinging movement in a horizontal plane. One arm of the control lever 66 actuates a limit switch 71 carried by a support 72 upstanding from the table top 16. A solenoid is also carried by an upstanding bracket 74 from the table top 16 and includes an armature 75a pivotally connected at 76 by a lost-motion linkage 70 to the lever 66 to selectively control swinging of that lever.

Pressurized air for assisting and facilitating ejection of a formed meatball from the cups 37 may be obtained from a suitable external source as in the illustrated embodiment and not shown other than to indicate the interconnecting pressure air line 77. This conduit is connected to the inlet of a normally closed, mechanically actuated valve 78 mounted on the table top 16, and having an outlet connected by the air lines 39 to the respective pressure connection 40 of each forming head 35 and 36. Cyclic operation of the valve 78 to an open position is effected by a cam 80 fixed on the shaft 31 and engages an actuating lever 81 of the valve. At an appropriate time during the forming operation, the cam 80 driven concurrently with the drum-cams 46 engages the lever 81 and opens the valve 78 to direct air through the passage 38 into the cup 37. This step occurs after the forming heads 35 and 36 have started to separate with the air flow being adequate to provide pressure at the cup and remove any meat particles that may have entered the passage 38. Air trapped in the cups 37 during formation of a meat ball is permitted to escape through an atmospheric exhaust port in the valve 78 via the passage 38 and interconnecting lines 39 with this port being open when the valve is closed relative to the inlet pressure line 77.

A circular ring 82 mounted on the table top 16 by means of a bracket 83 is supported in coaxial relationship to the head 35 which is reciprocably movable therethrough. This ring 82 has an internal diameter equal to the head 35 and also assists in ejection of a formed meat ball as does the transfer tube 28 with respect to the other head 36. As each head 35, 36 is retracted into the ring 82 or transfer tube 28, respectively, the meat ball, which normally enlarges slightly after release of compressive force, will either strike the end edge of the ring or tube to assist in removal as will more nearly fill the opening and this prevent mere escape of air around the meat ball without ejecting the meat ball. It will be understood that this would only occur with respect to one head at any particular time, since the heads would be axially spaced apart.

Control of the operating sequence of the apparatus is effected by an electrical circuit shown in FIG. 11. This circuit is shown as not connected to a suitable power source with all elements thereof deenergized. Closing of a main disconnect switch 85 energizes the remainder of the control circuit through the protective fuses 86, 87 as well as the indicator light 88. Assuming that the apparatus is in a configuration where the transfer unit 18 has been indexed to a position where a transfer tube 28 is aligned with the nozzle 22 for receiving a charge and the plate 65 is in the tube, the limit switch 71 will be configured as shown. This limit switch includes a normally open contact 710 which is held closed and completes a circuit through the operating coil 89C of a relay switch 89. The relay 89 includes a normally open contact 89A and a normally closed contact 89B with contact 89A series connected in the power circuit to the feed clutch 51 which is of the electromagnetic type, as is the cam and Geneva drive clutch 50. Energization of coil 89C causes contact 89A to close resulting in energization of the feed clutch 51 and driving of the feed unit 17.

Power for energization of the electromagnetic clutches 50 and 51 is preferably of the direct current type and a rectifier unit 90 is provided for conversion ofthe alternating current power with which is utilized for other components of the apparatus. Two separate and independent rectifier sections, each having its own rectifier diode 91, 92 and filter capacitor 93, 94, are included in the rectifier unit for independent powering of the respective clutch 50 or 51.

Operation of the feed unit 17 injects meat into the transfer tube 28 and results in displacement of the plate 65 as the meat charge reaches the desired amount. Initial displacement of the plate 65 pivots the arm 66 resulting in operation of the limit switch 71 to permit opening of contact 71a and closing of a normally closed contact 71b. Opening of contact 7la breaks the circuit through relay coil 89C which now becomes deenergized resulting in opening of contact 89A and deenergization of clutch 51 to stop the feed unit 17. At the same time, closing of limit switch contact 71b completed a circuit for energization of the opening coil 95C of a second relay switch 95. This closes a normally open contact 95A that is series connected in the power circuit to the cam and Geneva drive clutch 50 which is now energized to rotate shaft 31 and revolve the drumcams 46 and index the transfer unit 18. Solenoid 75 will be concurrently energized and, through mechanical interconnection of its armature 750 with the control arm 66, will swing arm 66 to completely remove the plate 65 from the transfer tube 28, as shown in broken line in FIG. 6, thereby preventing interference with indexing movement of the transfer unit 18. It will be noted that each relay 89, 95 also includes a normally closed contact 89B, 953, respectively, that is connected in series with a respective contact of limit switch 71 and the operating coil 95C, 89C of the opposite relay and thus forms an electrical interlock assuring that the two clutches 50, 51 are not simultaneously energized.

Rotation of shaft 31 as a consequence of energization of clutch 50 first results in indexing of the transfer unit 18 by means of the Geneva drive 30 as the grooves 47 are formed in the respective cam drum 46 to provide the initial delay in the forming operation. At completion of the indexing movement, the drum-cams 46 operate to first axially displace the forming heads 35 and 36 from the relatively spaced apart position as shown in FIG. 2 to the adjacentlly disposed, meat ball forming position shown in FIG. 8.. In this position, both heads have their terminal end portions inserted in the transfer tube 28 into abutting engagement as can be best seen in broken lines in FIG. 4 thereby compressing the meat charge into a ball. It will be seen that the transfer tube 28 cooperates in forming the meat ball by confining or retaining the meat charge in the space between the heads as they are brought together. Both heads are now axially displaced in the same direction as shown in FIG. 9, although the left forming head 35 is displaced at a relatively faster rate resulting in separation of the heads. This must occur before the ends of the heads leave the transfer tube 28 as the meat would tend to exude from between the heads while under compression. It is at this point that pressurized air is applied as previously described to facilitate ejection of the meat ball from the heads. Head 36 will move to a position where its end projects slightly beyond the transfer tube 28 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) and head 35 will move to a position where its end is within the ring 82 (see FIG. 10) Should the meat ball have remained stuck in the cup 37 of head 35, the ring 82 and pressurized air would have assured ejection. The same effeet will be obtained with respect to head 36 as this head is retracted through the transfer tube 28. Continued revolution of the cam drums 46 then returns the heads 35 and 36 through axial displacement in the opposite direction as indicated in FIG. 10 to the start position as shown in FIG. 2. A formed meat ball is seen disengaged from the heads in FIG. 10 and may be either dropped into a container or onto a conveyor, neither of which is shown, for subsequent transfer to a suitable cooking device.

This completes a forming cycle which event is detected by a cycle limit switch 96 having a single normally closed contact connected in series with the operating coil 95C of relay 95. This limit switch 96 is structurally mounted on the base 15 and is actuated by a cam 97 fixed on the shaft 31. As the shaft 31 completes a single revolution for a cycle, the cam 97 actuates switch 96 to open the contact and break the circuit to the relay coil 95C and the solenoid 75. Deenergization relay coil 95C results in opening of contacts 95A and deenergizes the cams and Geneva drive clutch 50 and concurrent deenergization of solenoid releases the control arm 66 which returns to its spring biased position returning contact 71a to a closed position and contact 7lb to an open position for a charging operation. Limit switch 96 does not remain open due to the inertia of the apparatus which continues rotation of the shaft 31 to the extent that the cam 97 will permit closing of the contacts thereby enabling a subsequent operation.

While the apparatus has been described as being provided with an electrical heating element 43 disposed in heat transferring relationship to each of the heads, it will be apparent that other equivalent heating means, heated fluid circulation or combustion heat, may be readily substituted. The specific structural modifications necessary for their use will be obvious from a consideration of the particular characteristics of any specific heating means. Also, the apparatus may be provided with its own air pump (not shown) to be driven by the motor 25 and eliminate dependence on an external pressurized air source.

lt will be apparent that this invention provides a meat ball forming machine of simple and inexpensive structure yet one which will have a high capacity in forming the meat balls efficiently and uniformly. Also, the machine will be easy to maintain in a sanitary manner. The machine has means to avoid entrapment of air in the forming cups, wastage of meat by having it exude from and between the forming cups, means for accomodating variations in the size of the charges of meat, and means for effectively ejecting the formed meat balls from the cups without portion sticking and remaining in the cups.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed 1. A machine for forming products from moldable material, such as meat balls from ground meat, which comprises:

a feeding unit for feeding a suitable charge of the material and including a feeding nozzle through which the material is extruded;

a forming unit for receiving the charge and forming the product therefrom and including an openended tube for receiving the charge, axially opposed forming cups aligned axially with each other and aligned with the tube during the forming operation, and

means for moving the cups axially into cooperative forming relationship within the tube, moving them while together out of the tube and separating them to release the formed product;

a transfer unit including a rotatably supported disc having a plurality of said tubes mounted thereon in angularly spaced relationship and means for intermittently rotating said disc to successively displace said tubes between said feeding unit in alignment with the feeding nozzle and forming unit cups; and

a control system for sequentially controlling said feeding, transfer and forming units in their operations including a selectively operable clutch for controlling said feeding unit, cam means for controlling axial movement of said forming heads and a selectively operable clutch for controlling said cam means and said means for rotating said disc.

2. A machine according to claim 1 in which said forming cups are provided with air passages for permitting exhaust of air during the forming operation.

3. A machine according to claim 2 in which means is provided for supplying air pressure to the cups during their separation to release the product, said means being under the control of said control system.

4. A machine according to claim 1 in which said forming cups axially engage with each other in the forming operation, and resilient means coogerating with said cups biasing them into engagement ut permitting limited separation thereof.

5. A machine according to claim 1 in which said control system includes a contact member positioned axially in the tube and engaged by the charge of material fed into the tube, said member being carried by linkage, movement of said linkage actuating a limit switch which is connected in an electric circuit with said clutches and an electric motor for driving said clutches.

6. A machine according to claim 1 which includes a knife selectively movable between the nozzle and a tube to sever the extrusion of material and means for operating said feeding unit and said knife in timed relationship.

7. A machine for forming products from moldable material, such as meat balls from ground meat, which comprises:

a feeding unit for feeding a suitable charge of the material and including a feeding nozzle through which the material is extruded;

a forming unit for receiving the charge and forming the product therefrom and including an openended tube for receiving the charge, axially opposed forming cups aligned axially with each other and aligned with the tube during the forming operation, said cups provided with air passages for permitting exhaust of air during the forming operation, means for moving the cups axially into cooperative forming relationship within the tube, moving them while together out of the tube and separating them to release the formed product,

a fixedly supported ring disposed coaxially relative to said forming cups to receive one cup therein for assisting in release of the product from that cup, and

means supplying pressurized air to the cups during their separation to release the products; a transfer unit including a rotatably supported disc having a plurality of said tubes mounted thereon in angularly spaced relationship and means for intermittently rotating said disc to successively displace said tubes between said feeding unit in alignment with the feeding nozzle and forming unit cups; and

a control system for sequentially controlling said feeding, transfer and forming units in their operations. 

1. A machine for forming products from moldable material, such as meat balls from ground meat, which comprises: a feeding unit for feeding a suitable charge of the material and including a feeding nozzle through which the material is extruded; a forming unit for receiving the charge and forming the product therefrom and including an open-ended tube for receiving the charge, axially opposed forming cups aligned axially with each other and aligned with the tube during the forming operation, and means for moving the cups axially into cooperative forming relationship within the tube, moving them while together out of the tube and separating them to release the formed product; a transfer unit including a rotatably supported disc having a plurality of said tubes mounted thereon in angularly spaced relationship and means for intermittently rotating said disc to successively displace said tubes between said feeding unit in alignment with the feeding nozzle and forming unit cups; and a control system for sequentially controlling said feeding, transfer and forming units in their operations including a selectively operable clutch for controlling said feeding unit, cam means for controlling axial movement of said forming heads and a selectively operable clutch for controlling said cam means and said means for rotating said disc.
 2. A machine according to claim 1 in which said forming cups are provided with air passages for permitting exhaust of air during the forming operation.
 3. A machine according to claim 2 in which means is provided for supplying air pressure to the cups during their separation to release the product, said means being under the control of said control system.
 4. A machine according to claim 1 in which said forming cups axially engage with each other in the forming operation, and resilient means cooperating with said cups biasing them into engagement but permitting limited separation thereof.
 5. A machine according to claim 1 in which said control system includes a contact member positioned axially in the tube and engaged by the charge of material fed into the tube, said member being carried by linkage, movement of said linkage actuating a limit switch which is connected in an electric circuit with said clutches and an electric motor for driving said clutches.
 6. A machine according to claim 1 which includes a knife selectively movable between the nozzle and a tube to sever the extrusion of material and means for operating said feeding unit and said knife in timed relationship.
 7. A machine for forming products from moldable material, such as meat balls from ground meat, which comprises: a feeding unit for feeding a suitable charge of the material and including a feeding nozzle through which the material is extruded; a forming unit for receiving the charge and forming the product therefrom and including an open-ended tube for receiving the charge, axially opposed forming cups aligned axially with each other and aligned with the tube during the forming operation, said cups provided with air passages for permitting exhaust of air during the forming operation, means for moving the cups axially into cooperative forming relationship within the tube, moving them while together out of the tube and separating them to release the formed product, a fixedly supported ring disposed coaxially relative to said forming cups to receive one cup therein for assisting in release of the product from that cup, and means supplying pressurized air to the cups during their separation to release the products; a transfer unit including a rotatably supported disc having a plurality of said tubes mounted thereon in angularly spaced relationship and means for intermittently rotating said disc to successively displace said tubes between said feeding unit in alignment with the feeding nozzle and forming unit cups; and a control system for sequentially controlling said feeding, transfer and forming units in their operations. 